The Benefits of Medical Alarms Systems for the Elderly

Medical Alarm Systems Give a Piece of Mind

1 in 3 senior citizens are expected to fall every year and falling is the leading cause of accidental injury and death among the elderly, especially seniors who live alone. It is also important to note that a heart attack occurs about every 20 seconds. And studies show that the quicker you get to the hospital after a heart attack or stroke, the less likely it is to be fatal or cause lasting neurological damage. Most senior citizens express a desire to live at home as long as possible, but the safety concerns are obvious. User surveys indicate that medical alarm systems have allowed users to continue living at home uninterrupted for as much as five years longer than they could have without the service. For many seniors, a medical alarm system can be more than a solution to worries over decreased independence – it can also be a life saver.

How Can Medical Alarms Systems Help?

Medical alarm systems are designed to offer assistance to a person experiencing a medical emergency on demand. At the push of a button on a receiver, you can be in touch via a built-in speaker with an operator who will alert medical and rescue personnel to your needs. Many medical alarm systems have “pendant” panic button features. A device with a single button attached to a chain can be worn around the neck as needed. This is a very useful feature if your mobility is still mostly good, but you’re doing house or yard work that could be potentially hazardous. Having access to help at the push of a button is also useful for older adults who are experiencing cognitive impairments due to dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Some medical alarm services offer a passive alarm option in which the user simply presses a button on the receiver at predetermined times during the day to signal that all is well. If the switch is not pressed, calls are placed to the residence by the alarm service, and authorities are dispatched to investigate if no one answers. Many services also automatically alert family members or friends at phone numbers provided by the user as well as dispatching emergency response.

Medical alarms can also protect you from crime in your home. Operators usually have contact numbers for police and other law enforcement agencies in your area, and many traditional security systems are incorporating medical alarm features into their service packages. Ask providers about additional home security features if you’d like an all-inclusive package for your home.

Features vary widely between different service providers, as do installation fees, monthly costs, and contract lengths for service. Be smart when choosing an alarm company and read the fine print (or ask a friend to help you go through it). You don’t want to get locked into a long-term contract until you’re certain the service provides you with the security you need. With the right choice, though, a medical alarm system may be the right option to provide you with the security you need to continue living comfortably in your own home well into old age.

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